Royals' Pasquantino Captains Italy to Build Baseball Culture

The Kansas City Royals first baseman with the unforgettable last name is now carrying an even bigger responsibility: building baseball culture in Italy from the clubhouse up.

Vinnie Pasquantino earned plenty of Italian-themed nicknames during his rise through the minors, from "Italian Breakfast" to "Italian Nightmare" courtesy of Royals legend George Brett. But after representing Italy in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, his connection to those roots became something deeper than just a fun conversation starter.

"We look at this like we're holding the torch for Italy right now," Pasquantino told MLB.com. His goal? Inspire homegrown Italian players to take baseball mainstream in a country still discovering the sport.

The transformation started with a pre-tournament trip to Italy in 2023, his first time visiting his ancestors' homeland. The Italian Baseball and Softball Federation showed him just how passionate they were about growing the game, and suddenly Pasquantino wasn't just another heritage player looking to connect with his roots.

He experienced the pure joy of games where only winning mattered, where going hitless in a victory felt better than a four-hit performance in a loss. Italy advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to eventual champion Japan, but by then Pasquantino was already planning his return.

When leadership changes brought former MLB executive Ned Colletti and ex-Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli into Italy's organization, they knew exactly who to call first. "I told him the first time I talked to him, 'You're the guy,'" Cervelli said. "'We're going to build this around you. This is your team.'"

The Ripple Effect

Pasquantino didn't just accept the captain's role. He embraced it, hitting the recruiting trail across Major League Baseball to build Italy's 2026 roster. He's reaching out to every eligible player, making calls to guys on the fence about participating, and showing the same dedication that Italian baseball officials showed him.

Former Yankees star Jorge Posada, now coaching for Italy, saw Pasquantino's commitment immediately. "He's done a good job of trying to put everything together," Posada said. Even before the full roster was set, Pasquantino was already working to unite the team.

The Royals slugger gets asked about Team Italy constantly now, and he welcomes every conversation. "That's the question that I get asked the most when I meet somebody new," he said, but he's more than happy to discuss it.

His motivation is simple: gratitude. "Everybody from Team Italy has treated me so well," Pasquantino explained. "That's where, for me, it's like, 'Why wouldn't I give everything I have to these people?'"

The 2026 World Baseball Classic represents more than another chance to celebrate heritage. For Pasquantino, it's an opportunity to light a fire that future generations of Italian-born players will carry forward, transforming baseball from a novelty into a national passion.